Russia now requires all smartphones and devices in the country to have Russian software pre-installed

A new law in Russia requires that devices have Russian software pre-installed.
This is intended to enable Russian software producers to compete with foreign ones.
Some call it the “anti-Apple law,” although Apple has conceded to this rule.
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Russia now requires all smart devices – including phones, computers and TVs – in the country to be pre-installed with Russian software, in what some residents call the “anti-Apple law.”

From Thursday, the act applies to all devices manufactured in the country.

Reuters reported that Russia saw it as a way to help Russian software makers compete with international ones.

The website added that the law posed a problem for Apple and became known as the “anti-Apple law.”

However, last month Apple agreed to allow users to install Russian software when setting up their phones, Reuters reported.

The company said it would offer apps from Russian developers to users activating their phones, but all apps were reviewed for compliance with Apple’s privacy and security policies, Reuters reported.

This means that users will be able to choose Russian apps instead of foreign ones when configuring their devices.

In a tweet on Thursday, an iOS developer named Tian Zhang shared a video showing the new setup process.

The setup screen now says: “In accordance with Russian legal requirements, continue to browse available applications for download.” Clicking “continue” takes the user to a list of Russian-made apps, including several from search giant Yandex.

Russia is trying to crack down on US tech companies at home and strengthen its dependence on the government-controlled “sovereign internet.” Last month, Russia slowed down Twitter in response to the company’s refusal to remove various banned content, which resulted in the blocking of many more domains, including the Kremlin’s website.

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